DuckSouth.com

donia wrote:

fireplug wrote:One article I read said he was carrying a .45 cal handgun. Guess he choose not to take the lives of his attackers and it almost cost him his life.
Sad. Had he shot one or two of those attacking him, he would have been the new whipping boy for the media.

wasn't him, his buddy was carrying and that's what kept them from continuing to kick and beat him.

Knighten was forced to fight his way outside to the parking lot. He saw Weems on the ground getting "kicked and stomped" by a group of black men. He said there were close to twenty people in the parking lot. He told Barnes he didn't know how many people were kicking Weems, as he was fighting six to eight men himself. The former Marine somehow fought his way over to Weems and got between Weems and the crowd. Knighten pulled out a .45 caliber handgun (he holds a CCW permit) and pointed it at the crowd. The crowd immediately fled. Barnes said Knighten didn't draw the gun earlier because he didn't want to shoot into a crowd, hit someone innocent, have it taken away, or have someone else pull a gun. He said he drew his weapon when he saw how bad Weems was injured. The police arrived after the crowd dispersed. Barnes said Knighten told him racial slurs were used by the attackers but did not specify what was said.

http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2014/0 ... -hate.html

Anatidae wrote:While I, TOO - want justice.....I'm more focused on Ralph's well-being right now.

i got this in an e-mail from another mutual friend this morning:

This was posted by a friend of Ralph on facebook. "Ralph woke up today and sat up and tried to pull the tubes out of his mouth. Which is a great sign. He was then sedated again to keep the tubes in and they will try to wake him up every couple of hours. He is fighting and doing a great job of it. But as far as the brain injury goes, its still unknown of his diagnosis. Keep prayers going guys. He is fighting!!!!!!!!"

Ralph and I have gotten to be good friends and shooting buddies over the last year or so. Cal ('donia') has shot with us on occassion, too. We typically shoot at least once a week when our schedules permit. I couldn't make it to the gun club on Thursday (our usual shooting day) to shoot a couple of new guns I just acquired. He seemed to be just as excited and anxious as I was about the new purchases.

He called me around 9:00 p.m. the night he and David were assaulted.....just talking 'guns' and the possibility of shooting this past weekend.

He's always been respectful and interested in learning from this 'old guy' (he's a little over half my age) and has been my biggest supporter and strongest advocate on the shotgun field whether I'm shooting well or not, at the time. Needless to say this hits real close to home.

For those of you that don't know Ralph - he's a very likeable guy, one helluva good wingshooter, loves his dog, Nola......and is a Marine that served in the Iraq War. He is also the President of the MSU Shooting Sports Club. Some of the other officers and members of that group (which I am fortunate to be working with again this year) and myself, manned the MSUSSC tent at 'club day' on the drill field at MSU yesterday. I was pleased with the kids (Ralph's concerned friends) ability to put such a positive spirit forward, encouraging others to become involved in the Club, all the while keeping Ralph in their thoughts. He would want us to share the opportunity to learn the shooting sports with others......and we look forward to having him back on Wednesdays, again.......he'll be there whether he is able to shoot or not - I know.

He's not one to go-down without a fight......or stand-up for what's 'right'.......but I don't know him to be one to 'start' one. He's been through enough and - Life if too damn short.

If he regains all of his mental and physical functions - it'll probably be a long time before he can return to what he loves......trap, skeet, and sporting clays. He was really anticipating dove hunting with his Dad and friends this coming Monday. All this takes a back-burner right now.

So, I ask y'all to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers right now - and for his speedy recovery.......and not give-in to bitterness and hatred. Let's take care of Ralph, first......God will sort the rest out.

I wouldn't be surprised if the kids on the MSUSSC have a benefit shootto raise money for a worthy cause in Ralph's behalf. At that time, if you want to do something to show your support to help Ralph cope with this.......you have an open invitation to attend.

I think the best things we can do for others lies not in what we do or say - but to 'be there' as fully as we CAN.....in a caring way.

"Among the best things we can give each other are good memories" [anonymous]. We hope we have a chance to do that when Ralph comes home.

hate crime laws are designed to protect only groups that were targeted for violence on a "historic basis," such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and gays.

teul2 wrote:So is this correct?

hate crime laws are designed to protect only groups that were targeted for violence on a "historic basis," such as African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and gays.

So since whites are not a "protected class" of citizen, the crime can not be considered a hate crime? If so, it's time for a change.

Ralph's Step-father wrote:"The painful truth is media would care more if races were switched"